Luke, 2 Corinthians, and Ephesians

Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. (Luke 18:15)
      Lord Jesus, help us welcome children and infants with all their noise and confusion into our church services.

But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.” (Luke 18:16)
      Holy Spirit, give us eyes to see your kingdom in the infants, children and youth of our parishes. Help us really welcome families with children and make provision for their nurture.

But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. (2 Corinthians 96:)
      Father, help us give of ourselves generously in reaching out to young families and youth.

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7)
      Jesus, please help us follow through in opening our hearts and our parishes to all that you send us. Help us give of ourselves to welcome them in. Thank you.

       A word received: Pray for my redeeming work among my people. Pray for new life and new hope for my people. Pray for an increase of charity towards one another for my people.

      A word received: I AM with you. I AM winnowing your heart.

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, (Ephesians 4:1)
      Lord, you have made me worthy — help me daily walk out your call to me.

with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, (Ephesians 4:2)
      Jesus, I ask you to help me meet those you place on my path with love, humility, gentleness, and longsuffering. Help me bear their burdens with your love.

endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:3)
      Holy Spirit, do a work of unity throughout this diocese by joining us together in the bond of peace.

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; (Ephesians 4:4)
      Holy Spirit, thank you for bringing us into the body of Christ and giving us hope.

one Lord, one faith, one baptism; (Ephesians 4:5)
      Jesus, you are Lord. Thank you for our baptism which made us part of your body.

one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (Ephesians 4:6)
      Father, thank you for what you have done in our lives through your son Jesus and through your Holy Spirit.

A word received: Praise me for the joy of fellowship in my body. Praise me for hope that endures. Praise for love that overcomes. Praise me for who I AM.

Trinity Sunday: 146, 147; Ecclesiasticus. 43:1-12(27-33) or Job 38:1-11, 42:1-5; Ephesians 4:1-16; John 1:1-18
Monday: 56, 57, [58]; Deuteronomy 30:1-10; 2 Corinthians 10:1-18; Luke 18:31-43

       Notes from the Front Line

My sense of things is that the Holy Spirit was doing open-heart surgery on many at the Diocesan Convention. The worship had a wonderful power to it and the business sessions were marked by real charity where there was disagreement. I was deeply moved by the standing ovation for retired bishop Dan Herzog at the end of the Youth Mass today. Torre

Albany Intercessor

Remember the Lord your God and reclaim the field

Deuteronomy 8:18 (New International Version)
But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.

Six weeks ago, the Holy Spirit dropped the word ‘chaos’ into my spirit. I initially thought it was intended for a friend, then for the church. I’ve come to the realization that it is also intended for something far wider. I will be posting prayers for the economy and business sector.
This call took me by surprise. I have always been an employee of someone else and never particularly interested in money. It is such a kick to witness God bringing His kingdom to earth!
Christians are reticent about praying for business success. We associate money with terms like “filthy lucre” and “mammon.” To an extent, we have walked off of the playing field in a critical sector of our society. This void has been filled by persons who do not hold the same values. Our current financial crisis is the result of greed and a disregard for the common good. We need Christian entrepreneurs and stock traders.
The current economic chaos is an opportunity for Christians to reclaim the playing field. In the creation story, the earth was without form and an empty waste; darkness was on the face of the deep. What happened? The Spirit of God moved and hovered and brooded over the face of the waters. Order was brought out of chaos. (Genesis 1:2) As Christians, we do not live the life of the flesh; we live the life of the Spirit. The Spirit of God dwells within us, directs and controls us. (Romans 8:9) What would happen if Christian entrepreneurs and stock traders were to move and hover and brood over the current economic chaos?
Order.
We are called to be a light of the world–the whole world, including Wall Street. When a lamp is lit, it needs to be placed on a lampstand to give light to all in the house. Our Christian entrepreneurs and stock traders are lamps in the darkness. The Church, and more specifically, the intercessors, are the lampstands, or platforms of support. We are called to pray that our businessmen will so shine before men that they may see their moral excellence and good deeds and recognize and honor our Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16)
This, obviously, will not be a short-term project. I have added a new category, Business/economics.

Calvin

Now let us cast ourselves down before the majesty of our good God, conscious of our faults, praying that he may not only forgive us but may daily cleanse us of them. May he remove them far from us. so that we are no longer captive and imprisoned by them. Rather, led and controlled by his Holy Spirit, may we walk in such holiness of life that we may seek above all to yield to his will. And since we know ourselves to be such weak and feeble creatures, may he support us in all our imperfections, until he has rid us of them and fully clothes us with his righteousness.